ST. GEORGE - Jackie Jenkins served as the director of the Dorchester County Department of Social Services for 15 years, but it was her abrupt retirement last May that has some questioning her recent nomination for magistrate.

State Sen. John Matthews, D-Orangeburg, said he nominated Jenkins for the St. George position based on the administrative skills she demonstrated during her 32 years with the department.

"What we do is nominate people we think can do the job," Matthews said.

Sens. Randy Scott, R-Summerville, and Larry Grooms, R-Bonneau, approved the nomination. Gov. Mark Sanford is expected to certify it after a routine background check.

But Grooms said recently that Jenkins, 54, should have been asked to explain her sudden retirement beforehand. He said that he has received numerous calls from within the community echoing that sentiment.

"I do feel it was strange that she was employed one day but not the next," Grooms said. "She may make a great magistrate, but there's a lot of questions in the community about why she left her job."

Jenkins retired in May after meeting with state officials.

The retirement was a shock to some, but Jenkins said she had already retired on the TERI program and that it was a combination of personal and professional reasons that convinced her the time was right.

"When your staff is cut 150 to 45, how much of a legacy can you leave?" she said. "It hurts not to help people in a manner that you know is appropriate."

Jenkins was honored upon her retirement by both the General Assembly and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn's office for her work at DSS.

She said she wants to become a magistrate because it's another opportunity to help her community.

"I feel real good about my time at DSS and what I attempted to do," she said. "I'm really kind of stunned to hear that was even a question."

Grooms said he signed off on the nomination because it was apparent that Scott and Matthews, who have about 97 percent of the weighted votes in the county, based on the way their districts are drawn, had already made their decision.

"I was disappointed that by the time I knew there was going to be a decision made, the decision had already been made," Grooms said.

Scott, who has about 78 percent of the weighted vote in Dorchester County, said he left the decision up to Matthews because his district covers St. George.

Matthews said he has heard nothing to make him believe he made the wrong choice.

"She has the ability to do it and she has the skills to do it," Matthews said. "I'm standing by her nomination."

Reach Andy Paras at (843) 549-9210 or at aparas@postandcourier.com.